Mixed in with powertrain details for the all-new 2013 Escape, Ford’s head product man, Derrick Kuzak, made a quick, passing reference to moving the (Escape’s) hybrid tech to the five-passenger C-Max, a model which will be available exclusively with hybrid or all-electric powertrains. A quick check with a Ford spokesperson confirmed that this means the death of the Escape hybrid. As a fairly successful and mainstream hybrid, we can’t say we totally agree with this move, but if the new 1.6-liter EcoBoost can return fuel economy similar to a theoretical new-gen hybrid, it makes sense from a cost perspective. We’ll deliver fuel-economy news and much more on the 2013 Escape soon: It’s scheduled to debut in Los Angeles next month.